Doherty Urges Reversal of SNA Cuts Amid School Concerns

Donegal TD Pearse Doherty has called for immediate action from Education Minister Hildegarde Naughton regarding significant cuts to Special Needs Assistant (SNA) allocations in schools. As institutions across Ireland receive notifications of reduced support, Doherty insists that the Minister must reconsider the current approach to these cuts.

Schools, including St Oran’s National School in Cockhill, are among those affected by the recent decisions. The school, which previously had four SNAs, will now only receive an allocation of 2.5, leaving one assistant to support the needs of 28 children requiring additional assistance. This reduction raises serious concerns about the ability of schools to adequately support students with special needs.

Calls for Immediate Reversal

Doherty described the Minister’s adherence to the ongoing review by the National Council for Special Education as “unbelievable.” During an interview on RTÉ, Minister Naughton stated that approximately half of the SNA reviews have been completed, with the remaining assessments expected to conclude by the end of next month. However, Doherty argues that this timeline is insufficient given the pressing needs of schools in Donegal.

“The Minister for Education is in denial about the facts on the ground. Schools in Donegal are telling me about significant SNA cuts with more to follow,” said Deputy Doherty.

The Deputy expressed concern that relying on an appeals process or expecting teachers to compensate for these lost supports is unrealistic. He emphasized the need for the government to reverse the proposed cuts and ensure that no child with additional needs is left without essential support starting in September 2023.

Concerns Over Support Criteria

Doherty criticized the strict interpretation of the ‘primary care needs’ criteria used to determine SNA allocations, deeming it harsh and unfair. He argued that this narrow definition fails to recognize the broad responsibilities SNAs have in supporting children with varying needs.

Ongoing contract negotiations regarding the expanded role of SNAs further complicate the situation. Doherty called for immediate recognition of this expanded role rather than delaying decisions until an unspecified future date. He urged the Minister to take decisive action to ensure adequate SNA provision across all schools in Donegal and nationwide.

In closing, Doherty requested that the government provide reassurance to parents that their children with additional needs will continue to have access to necessary support. The urgency of this matter cannot be overstated, as the future of many students hangs in the balance.